Dirty Projectors, Willis Earl Beal shine on rainy first day of Pitchfork

My favorite sets at the first day of Pitchfork Music Festival Friday were by Dirty Projectors and Willis Earl Beal. I had a feeling that Dirty Projectors’ new songs would sound really good live. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Beal, who is sort of a soul, blues, gospel, indie kind of guy. He’s not that easy to define — kind of like Tom Waits. But he’s a captivating performer and his songs are powerful.

I liked sets by Lower Dens and Japandroidsbut I’m also a big fan of both. Japandroids did seem to work people into a frenzy. I picked Purity Ring on the side stage over headlining closer Feist. Purity Ring’s music sounds a lot like the Knife. The duo’s debut album, Shrines, is out Tuesday, though you can buy it at Pitchfork fest this weekend.

The rain delayed the start of the fest but let up only to send everyone running for cover again late day. The main stages were back on schedule by early evening but the third stage acts never seem to get started on time.